Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-09
ODiniOnleSS Women.

If there is one popularity more than
another for which men ridcule women, it
is because they, as rule. are so undecid-
ed, They seem hardly TO know whether
10 stop the car or not; the car once STOP
| ped. they find it difficult to decide where
| to sit down. When asked which of sever
al things they prefer, they are more than
apt "not to know" They are said never
to be sure of Just what they want when
they are shopping. In short. they are de-
clared by all the "fupny" men, and a
good many who make no pretensions to
being funny,to be forever hating between
two opinions, vacillating, undecided.
This is not surprising in young women,
nor, for that matter. in Young men. Youth
is not period of fixed intentions. 1t has
not vet had experience enough to find out
whether it likes things or not. But,
when n man or woman reaches mature
years, we expect to find in them some set
tied convictions, and little, at least of that
quality known as "deci-on of charac-
ter" without which, it is agree d. no great
success in life is possible. In men. this is
usually present to "A greater or less degree.
In women, it exists generally in proper
ton to The amount of independence which
they have been obliged to exercise The
woman who has had to, or who has pre-
ferred TO, earn her own living. usually has
her share of decision of character The
woman who lett her fathers home, where
she was always under the tuteage of her
parents, for a husbands home, where she
is under the direction of husband. is
usually sadly lacking in this grand es.
senial.
We say grand essential" advisedly.
| There is scarcely day when one does not
read scathing criticisms, to say nothing of
the ridicue. of which we have spoken, of
the women who cannot manage their ser.
wants. and the women who cannot make
their children mind. A good proportion
OF generalship is demanded of woman
placed in the position of mistress of a
household, or of mother to wide awake
family. 1t is impossible to have this
generalship without a good deal of de-
clsion of character We believe, that the
wlsest and best family government is that
in which a reasonable man marries a
reasonable woman. and no household step
is undertaken without a consultation be.
tween them, and a decision based on the
reasons in the case presented by both.
That such family governments are com.
paratively rare, we believe to be due
partly to the inability of many womer, as
hitherto educated, to reason, and the early
detection of their deficiency by husbands
who find any serious consultation with
them, upon family or other affairs, out OF
the question; and partly to the natural
arrogance of men. who unless very highly
cultivated, despse the idea of accepting
the pnnnSpl Of a M ,,att tb,,u
the subj sct which it concerns be one OF
vital interest to her, and one to which she
may have given close and valuable study
There are, no doubt, other reasons
which prevent the ideal of family govern
ment from realization very often among
US; but we believe that most thoughtful
persons will agree that TO the two causes
which we have specified, may be lao
most of the failures to consult together
which are observed in the heads OF house
holds - Good Cheer